Philippine Defense Secretary Approves the U.S. Plan to Establish Ammunition Facilities in Subic Bay
According to the Philippine News Agency (PNA), Philippine Defense Secretary Teodoro said on Monday that he is open to the possibility of establishing U.S. ammunition production and storage facilities at the former U.S. military base in Subic Bay.
The report stated that although Teodoro has not yet received any formal proposal, he believes the move would be beneficial to the Philippines.
Teodoro said, "Any production entity that is beneficial to the Philippines, not only in enhancing our resilience, but also in improving, providing employment opportunities, and other technology transfers, may be encouraged."
Earlier reports indicated that U.S. lawmakers are studying the possibility of establishing these facilities in Subic Bay, citing a "lack of forward ammunition manufacturing" in the Indo-Pacific region. In this regard, the U.S. House Appropriations Committee ordered the Department of Defense, the Department of State, and the International Development Finance Corporation to assess the feasibility of establishing such facilities in Subic Bay.
It is reported that Subic Bay was once a U.S. naval base in the Philippines, and the U.S. military withdrew in 1992 due to a breakdown in rent negotiations, after which the Philippine government transformed it into a free port zone.
According to USNI News in April, the U.S. Navy is seeking to lease a climate-controlled facility near Subic Bay and Clark Air Base by 2026, with a lease term of ten years, an area between 19,000 to 33,000 square meters, for the "storage and maintenance of vehicles and vehicle equipment."
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1836405756809347/
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